Category Archives: Blog

Amazing Sober Festive Season Activities

Ideas for sober activities

An issue that many recovering alcoholics have to deal with is the concept of creating new holiday memories minus alcohol. Now, with the world going into its second  “pandemic holiday” Sober Festive Season Activities are even more challenging. Think about the holiday parties, the office parties, the wines and ciders, the braais and good times – how many of those don’t involve alcohol? The one plus of this pandemic is that thankfully, for those in recovery, some of those parties will have been cancelled. These can be tough waters to navigate as a newly sober (or just sober for that matter) person, so you are going to need a bit of help getting creative with your social life and festive season planning. Luckily you don’t have to look too far to find new, fun, Sober Festive Season Activities to take part in or host.

How to stop doing drugs in 5 steps

1. Decide You Want to Stop Doing Drugs

2. Admit You Are Not in Control

3. Find a Treatment Programme

4. Follow Medical Advice for Detox and Withdrawal

5. Commit to a Treatment Programme

Finally – Look to Family and Friends for Support

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Facing COVID-19 – the time to enter recovery is now!

Lockdown – time to clean up and enter recovery

Enter recovery now Houghton House Rehabilitation Centre is keeping its facilities open during the COVID-19 lockdown. Their facilities remain safe and with professional staff employed the team remains strong for those who they currently treat and for those yet to come.See:>>Confidential Drug Rehab in Johannesburg<<

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Addiction and the danger of COVID 19

Addicts are a higher risk group than they may realise.

Our intention is not to cause unnecessary panic. Panic is a pandemic in and of itself. But with COVID-19 currently global, it is important to take precautions, especially if you’re in a higher risk group. …>>Read More Details on this Here<<...

Common misconceptions of addiction.

There are several common misconceptions and misunderstandings by the general public about addiction. Houghton House as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre with extensive experience in this area would like to highlight some of these misconceptions around addiction in order to help loved ones understand the problems the addict has, how to deal with the issue and what they can do about it. …>>Read More Details on this Here<<...

Struggling with addiction? Things you should be saying to your addicted loved one

Do you have a loved one that is struggling with addiction?

It is often very difficult to talk to them about their struggles with addiction. In part because addiction involves a number of defense mechanisms that serve to protect the addict and their addictive behavior. It doesn’t matter if they are addicted to drugs or alcohol, the mechanisms act in the same way.See:>>Dealing with the consequences of addiction.<< …>>Read More Details on this Here<<...

Drug addiction starts with Peer Pressure.

The effect peer pressure has on an individual’s drug use.

Drug abuse doesn’t just happen.

No drug (including alcohol) is immediately addiction-causing. For the vast majority of people, the drugs they do try and the wild drinking binges they might do, don’t result in addiction. But groups, that is those who cause peer pressure, do play a significant role in the start of many an addict or alcoholic’s big life misadventure. …>>Read More Details on this Here<<...

Internet & Gaming Addictions

Internet addiction disorder

The fastest-growing addiction worldwide

A very recent trend  “Internet addiction disorder”(IAD) is characterised by the obsessive and disproportionate use of the internet. Other existing mental health issues can be linked with Internet and Gaming like addiction,  depression and other related disorders.
It is of crucial importance to consult a mental health professional in cases of IAD. A professional therapist is required to identify the root problem and suggest strategies and techniques that will further the addict’s recovery process. See:>>How to help drug addicts first and foremost.<<

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Codependent – helping the addict stay sick.

An introduction to codependent behavior.

While this article will primarily focus on the codependent behavior between an addict and their family, it will touch on other aspects of codependent behavior as well. this behavior isn’t just restricted to addicts, nor is it even restricted to the relationship between addicts and those they’re close to. …>>Read More Details on this Here<<...

Are you Drinking too much Alcohol?

Could you be drinking too much and drinking yourself into trouble?

Drinking too much alcohol, known as the “social lubricant.” often used to ‘break the ice’  – particularly on holidays or at parties.  Bouts of excessive drinking can often feel like a “necessary” part of the celebration.
Here’s the thing though; drinking too much alcohol at a party, a get-together, a wedding, a birthday or at any time really, can be a sign of Alcohol Use Disorder.  That’s drinking too much Alcohol See:>>Dealing with the consequences of addiction.<<

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How to Communicate With a addict who Lies about Drug Problems

Tough conversations: How to Communicate with an Addict

You can rise above anything in life with a positive attitude.

If you have a deep desire to help someone dear to you who is dealing with an addiction the most valuable piece of advice to heed is to keep the door open. What door you ask? Your own one. The way you communicate with an addict, offering much-needed support and appropriate advice can change a person’s outlook on life and may swing an addict towards rehabilitation and the light of recovery. It may be one of the toughest things to do if it has been before (or many times before) and the results have been negative. It is also hard to keep a hand outstretched if it keeps being bitten. See:>>Helping your loved one seek treatment for addiction<<

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